House minority bloc on special session: Set aside politics, focus on budget

MANILA, Philippines — The minority bloc in the House of Representatives backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for a special session to tackle the proposed national budget for 2021, saying that lawmakers should set aside politics and focus on the task at hand.

Duterte’s call for a special session, as well as the certification of the proposed budget as urgent, shows the importance of passing the budget on time in order for the government to promptly carry out the programs and projects necessary amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We in the Minority support any initiative that will fast-track the deliberations and subsequent passage of the 2021 national budget,” the bloc said in a statement.

The minority bloc said that following the suspension of the session, it had originally intended to hold parallel deliberations in order to fulfill their mandate of thoroughly scrutinizing the budget and to properly evaluate the proposed allocations for the government’s various line departments.

“These, however, may now be unnecessary given this latest development, as we in the Minority will now be able to resume working with our colleagues in the Majority to craft a pro-people budget that is on time, on target, and on point,” the bloc said.

The lawmakers from the minority bloc likewise had an appeal to their colleagues: “Our priorities should now be crystal clear; let us set aside politics, eschew the infighting that has plagued the chamber in recent weeks, and focus on the task at hand.”

The General Appropriations Bill (GAB), which contains the planned national expenditure for 2021, was supposed to be approved by the House on the third and final reading on October 16.

However, on October 6, Cayetano moved for the termination of the period of deliberation on the spending bill even if the proposed budget of several other government agencies are yet scrutinized. Cayetano and his allies suspended House sessions until November 16, after abruptly approving the GAB on second reading that Tuesday.

Right before Cayetano moved to terminate the period of debates and amendments on the 2021 spending measure, he denied holding the budget hostage as claimed by Velasco – with whom he has a speakership term-sharing agreement.

But these developments at the lower legislative body irked the President, who consequently warned on Thursday night that the House of Representatives should immediately resolve the budget impasse or he will take matters into his own hands.

“Gusto ko lang sabihin in one straight statement: Either you resolve the issue sa impasse ninyo diyan and pass the budget legally and constitutionally, kapag hindi ninyo ginawa, ako ang gagawa para sa inyo,” Duterte said.

“Hindi ako nananakot. Wala akong ambisyong manakot. Wala din akong ambisyong magtagal sa pwestong pu**** ****g ito na puro problema. Wala akong hangarin,” he added.

Senators have also slammed Cayetano’s move to prematurely put the House on recess, saying this may lead to a reenacted budget for 2021. [ac]